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Job description
About the Working Families Party
The Working Families Party (WFP) is the progressive party for the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that works for the many, not the few. We recruit, train, and support transformational candidates up and down the ballot — and run them to win.
We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things. We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, safe neighborhoods and a safe world. We want to be free.
The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across our differences to make a better future for us all. We’re a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. We want an America which realizes the promise – unrealized in our history – of freedom and equality for all.
ABOUT THIS ROLE
Working Families Party (WFP) and Working Families Power seek to build a powerful, left political force that can win real governing power: the durable capacity of the multiracial working class to shape and wield government in its own interests. In Connecticut, we’ve been winning elections for champions for working people for two decades, and organizing to leverage those electoral successes into legislative victories for working families — including paid family and medical leave, paid sick days, immigrant protections, and equitable state budgets.
The Governance Director will lead our work aligning and organizing elected officials around a clear vision for Connecticut and how we can get there through explicit policy changes and a unified platform. From cohering newly-elected legislators to convening aligned allies, this role will take the lead in organizing our legislative champions. The position is also responsible for crafting and implementing a legislative strategy for the organization. Electoral responsibilities for this role predominantly include incumbent defense, with other elections as Party priorities dictate. The role will require the staffer to be a registered lobbyist with the state of Connecticut.
This position is supervised by the Connecticut State Director, and will work closely with our team of five, as well as with staff in similar roles in other WFP states around the country. The role includes local and national professional development opportunities.
Organizing legislators
Organize and run regular WFPower meetings of elected officials
Develop trusting working relationships with allied legislators
Develop bi-annual WFPower legislator retreats (pre- and post-session) to debrief and plan
Regularly host skill and/or issue training spaces (such as on press relations or housing policy)
Lead development of a public WFPower legislative agenda or platform
Identify opportunities for shared messaging
Lead WFP staff team in supporting aligned legislators (ie communications and social media work with Comms Director)
In conjunction with the organizing staff, develop pathways for activists to support WFP electeds and legislation
Analyze and strategize the evolving legislative landscape
Organize substantive new legislator orientation event series to build community and recruit newly-elected legislators into organizing with WFPower
Meet monthly with newly elected aligned legislators for at least a year after election
Coalition work and legislative lobbying
Lead WFPower involvement with coalitions working on tax equity, progressive revenue, paid family & medical leave, housing, and more
Craft legislative strategies and build campaigns to pass priority legislation
Track priority legislation and manage/deliver WFPower testimony on key bills
Lobby legislators on WFPower priority bills
Electoral responsibilities
Support incumbent elected officials in planning re-election campaigns
Lead WFP incumbent electoral defense work
Manage WFP electeds showing up for each other in election season
Coordinate group endorsement efforts in primary elections where possible
Support candidate recruitment efforts
Municipal elected responsibilities
Track and manage ongoing opportunities for municipal elected officials to engage WFP
Support governance of aligned municipal elected officials by connecting them to each other, coalitions, and national resources
Identify and coach municipal electeds with potential for running for higher office
Raise funds to drive CTWFPower and CTWFParty work
Support the state director in researching and obtaining grants for governance work
Lead efforts to help aligned legislators create PACs
Raise funds from legislator PACs into WFP
Compliance
Manage registrations and monthly/annual reports for all registered lobbyists on the team
Create and use tracking systems for lobbying hours
Report to funders lobbying time as required
Other duties as assigned.
Required
At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in advocacy, politics, or organizing
Demonstrated track record of commitment to social, economic, and racial justice
Demonstrated ability to work closely with elected officials to pass progressive policy
Excellent facilitation skills, and the ability to build solidarity and shared strategy across differences.
Ability to quickly learn new contexts and policy areas.
Ability to make decisions with consequences in nuanced political settings.
Strong sense of empathy and ability to build collaborative relationships.
Excellent problem solving skills, with excellent judgment in moments of conflict.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and manage complex projects.
Ability to manage multiple projects at once and prioritize work.
Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite & Google Suite
Driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness for regular in-state travel
Ability and willingness to work late evenings and weekends, including at the State Capitol during legislative session
Preferred
Experience with the Connecticut legislature
Experience managing electoral campaigns
Fluency in Spanish
Location : The position requires weekly in-person work with opportunities to work remotely when possible. The role requires that the staffer become a registered lobbyist with the state of Connecticut.
Schedule : Full time
Union Affiliation
WFP is a unionized workplace. This is a bargaining unit position. WFP union employees are represented by Workers United affiliated with SEIU and the affiliated Local 1115, Workers United.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of, employment visas at this time.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Working Families Party is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to economic and social justice. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to apply for or perform the essential functions of the job should contact us at with the subject line "Application Accommodation" to request such an accommodation.
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Worksite address
hartford, CT, 06112, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.